Extension
.host
.host in short
The .host domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) built for the web-hosting industry — hosts, data centres, ISPs and cloud providers. Launched in 2014 by Radix, it is open to anyone, with cheap first-year offers but a notably higher standard renewal price.
.host at a glance
Type
gTLD — Generic top-level domain
Registry
Radix (Radix FZC)
Launched
2014
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Open to anyone
Typical price
$80/yr
Example sites
hosting, data-centre & cloud sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .host domain
Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .host mean?
The .host extension is a niche gTLD aimed squarely at the web-hosting community. It was launched in 2014 by Radix and is meant for the companies that keep other people's websites online — hosting providers, data centres, ISPs and cloud platforms. A brand.host address signals that service category instantly.
It is one of Radix's better-performing niche extensions, with hundreds of thousands of registrations, precisely because the word so cleanly matches a real, well-defined industry.
Who uses .host?
Hosting companies and infrastructure providers are the core audience, using .host to make their service obvious and to grab a memorable exact-match name. The registry's own nic.host and short names like get.host illustrate the style.
Beyond pure hosts, it is picked up by developers, server projects and tech reviewers who want a name that reads as “where something lives”. Because the field is specific, plenty of strong short names remain available.
.host registration rules and requirements
Registration is fully open. You do not need to be a hosting company — there is no eligibility check, certification or documentation, and names are sold first-come, first-served under standard ICANN policy. The extension implies an industry but does not police it.
How much does a .host cost?
Watch the renewal. .host is famous for very cheap first-year deals — often under $10 — but the standard and renewal price is far higher, commonly around $80 per year. Treat the introductory price as a one-off and budget for the standing rate if you plan to keep the name.
Is .host good for SEO?
As a generic TLD it carries no ranking advantage or penalty. Its value is descriptive: an exact-match name in a narrow industry can help users immediately understand the service and improve click-through. The extension itself is SEO-neutral. See how to compare and choose a TLD.
.host vs alternatives
For infrastructure brands, .host sits alongside .cloud, .site, .network and .systems. Its advantage is being the single most specific word for hosting; its drawback is the steep renewal compared with cheaper generics or a plain .com.
.host pros and cons
Pros
- The most specific word for the web-hosting industry.
- Open to anyone, with no eligibility check.
- Very cheap first-year promotions.
- Short, exact-match names still available.
Cons
- High standard renewal price (the first-year is a teaser).
- Narrow meaning limits use outside hosting/infrastructure.
- Less public recognition than .com.
- Best value only if you keep and use the name.
Example .host websites
- get.host — a short, exact-match address in the hosting space.
- nic.host — the registry's own information site for the extension.
- Hosting & cloud brands — providers use .host to make their service category obvious.
.host — frequently asked questions
What is the .host domain?
The .host domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched in 2014 by Radix for the web-hosting industry — hosts, data centres, ISPs and cloud providers. It is open to anyone, with no requirement to actually be a hosting company.
Who can register a .host domain?
Anyone, anywhere can register a .host domain. There is no eligibility or certification requirement; it is sold first-come, first-served through standard registrars.
How much does a .host domain cost?
First-year prices are often under $10, but the standard renewal price is much higher — commonly around $80 per year. Budget for the renewal, not the introductory offer.
Is .host only for hosting companies?
No. It is designed for the hosting and infrastructure industry and is most meaningful there, but it is fully open, so anyone can register a .host domain for any purpose.